‘Top Gun’ stars: Then and now

''Top Gun'' came out in 1986 - almost 27 years ago - but the dogfights, windmill high fives, homoerotic volleyball and squinting fighter-pilot stare-downs are still so entertaining today.
In honor of ''Top Gun's'' 3D release Friday, here's a look back at the navy flyer bromance that helped launch the career of Tom Cruise. less

''Top Gun'' came out in 1986 - almost 27 years ago - but the dogfights, windmill high fives, homoerotic volleyball and squinting fighter-pilot stare-downs are still so entertaining today.
In honor of ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tom Cruise played the cocky, daredevil pilot ''Maverick,'' a genius with F-14s and volleyball spikes, despite being only 5' 7''. The role propelled Cruise to the top of the actors' list.

Tom Cruise played the cocky, daredevil pilot ''Maverick,'' a genius with F-14s and volleyball spikes, despite being only 5' 7''. The role propelled Cruise to the top of the actors' list.

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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After ''Top Gun'' came out, Tom Cruise quickly became a mega movie star, doing ''Rain Man,'' ''A Few Good Men'' and ''Mission Impossible.'' Then he got weird and started jumping on couches, around 2005.

After ''Top Gun'' came out, Tom Cruise quickly became a mega movie star, doing ''Rain Man,'' ''A Few Good Men'' and ''Mission Impossible.'' Then he got weird and started jumping on couches, around 2005.

Photo: Getty Images

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Tom Cruise in 2012, filming in New York City for the upcoming movie ''Oblivion.''

Tom Cruise in 2012, filming in New York City for the upcoming movie ''Oblivion.''

Photo: WireImage

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The casting of Kelly McGillis as Tom Cruise's love interest was all kinds of wrong. (She was too smart for him). But did anyone care? Not when Berlin's song ''Take My Breath Away'' came on.

The casting of Kelly McGillis as Tom Cruise's love interest was all kinds of wrong. (She was too smart for him). But did anyone care? Not when Berlin's song ''Take My Breath Away'' came on.

Photo: Getty Images

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Kelly McGillis in 1985.

Kelly McGillis in 1985.

Photo: Getty Images

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Kelly McGillis in 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival, for her movie ''We Are What We Are.''

Kelly McGillis in 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival, for her movie ''We Are What We Are.''

Photo: WireImage

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''Top Gun's'' dogfights will look great in 3D IMAX, but what about all those powerful death stares between ''Mav'' (right) and arch-rival ''Iceman'' (left), played by Val Kilmer?

''Top Gun's'' dogfights will look great in 3D IMAX, but what about all those powerful death stares between ''Mav'' (right) and arch-rival ''Iceman'' (left), played by Val Kilmer?

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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Here's Val Kilmer at the ''Top Gun'' premiere on May 12, 1986. He went on to play Jim Morrison in ''The Doors'' in 1991 and Doc Holliday in 1993's ''Tombstone.''

Here's Val Kilmer at the ''Top Gun'' premiere on May 12, 1986. He went on to play Jim Morrison in ''The Doors'' in 1991 and Doc Holliday in 1993's ''Tombstone.''

Photo: WireImage

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Val Kilmer in 2012, during filming in Austin of Terrence Malick's new movie.

Val Kilmer in 2012, during filming in Austin of Terrence Malick's new movie.

Photo: WireImage

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Val Kilmer also did a one-man show called ''Citizen Twain'' in Hollywood in March of 2012. He's pictured at the opening night.

Val Kilmer also did a one-man show called ''Citizen Twain'' in Hollywood in March of 2012. He's pictured at the opening night.

Photo: Getty Images

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''Top Gun'' starred a then-mostly unknown Meg Ryan, who played Goose's cute wife Carole and had the line, ''Take me to bed or lose me forever!'' Meg Ryan is pictured in 1986, the year the movie came out. less

''Top Gun'' starred a then-mostly unknown Meg Ryan, who played Goose's cute wife Carole and had the line, ''Take me to bed or lose me forever!'' Meg Ryan is pictured in 1986, the year the movie came ... more

Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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''Top Gun'' didn't have a lot of Meg Ryan in it, but it captured the beginning of her adorable silliness, which became a hit in her later romantic comedies. Ryan is pictured in 1988.

''Top Gun'' didn't have a lot of Meg Ryan in it, but it captured the beginning of her adorable silliness, which became a hit in her later romantic comedies. Ryan is pictured in 1988.

Photo: WireImage

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Meg Ryan, 2012.

Meg Ryan, 2012.

Photo: FilmMagic

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The famous ''Top Gun'' windmill high five has become an iconic gesture, most recently appearing in the last season of ''30 Rock.''
(The shirtless volleyball scene - set to Kenny Loggins' ''Playing with the Boys'' - has also become great fodder for parody). less

The famous ''Top Gun'' windmill high five has become an iconic gesture, most recently appearing in the last season of ''30 Rock.''
(The shirtless volleyball scene - set to Kenny Loggins' ''Playing with the ... more

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More thumbs-up from dudes, this time from fellow pilot “Goose” (Anthony Edwards, left) and “Mav” (Tom Cruise, right). These two are tight, but things end badly.

More thumbs-up from dudes, this time from fellow pilot “Goose” (Anthony Edwards, left) and “Mav” (Tom Cruise, right). These two are tight, but things end badly.

Photo: Ralph Nelson, Paramount Pictures

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Anthony Edwards then traded the pilot outfit for scrubs in ''ER,'' as Dr. Mark Greene.

Anthony Edwards then traded the pilot outfit for scrubs in ''ER,'' as Dr. Mark Greene.

Not so much dangerous as creepy. It's Kenny Loggins in the video for ''Danger Zone,'' "Top Gun's" theme song. Just try to listen to this anthem and see if you don't burst out saying, ''I feel the need ... the need for speed!'' less

Not so much dangerous as creepy. It's Kenny Loggins in the video for ''Danger Zone,'' "Top Gun's" theme song. Just try to listen to this anthem and see if you don't burst out saying, ''I feel the need ... the ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tom Skerritt was ''Viper,'' Tom Cruise's chief instructor who taught him a valuable lesson about teamwork. Skerritt is pictured in the movie ''Fighting Back,'' which came out a few years before ''Top Gun.''

Tom Skerritt was ''Viper,'' Tom Cruise's chief instructor who taught him a valuable lesson about teamwork. Skerritt is pictured in the movie ''Fighting Back,'' which came out a few years before ''Top Gun.''

Photo: Getty Images

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Tom Skerritt, 2012.

Tom Skerritt, 2012.

Photo: FilmMagic

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Ready to see this gaze again and again in 3D and on IMAX? Of course you are. ''Top Gun's'' theatrical re-release comes shortly before the 3D Blu-ray debut later this month.

Ready to see this gaze again and again in 3D and on IMAX? Of course you are. ''Top Gun's'' theatrical re-release comes shortly before the 3D Blu-ray debut later this month.

Photo: Getty Images

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''Top Gun'' was the highest-grossing film of 1986, earning more than $176 million that year. Director Tony Scott re-worked the movie for this year's 3D release, before his suicide last August.

''Top Gun'' was the highest-grossing film of 1986, earning more than $176 million that year. Director Tony Scott re-worked the movie for this year's 3D release, before his suicide last August.